VILLAGE AFRICA/HELEN O'GRADY AMBULANCE SET FOR DEPARTURE!

Today, Friday 11th June, sees the launch of the Village Africa sponsored ambulance drive.

After months of preparation, Portsmouth Principal, Andrea Ward and her sister, Caroline Johnston for Village Africa, are delighted they can now start their journey. This week, they have been interviewed by Quay radio in Portsmouth (see below).

They will be joined at today's launch by Alan Knight MBE and Cartridge World will be there with their Eco car, along with The Stig. Their first stop this weekend is Bournemouth before they head north to Exeter, detour through South Wales where they will be meeting the Welsh Assembly, through Gloucestershire and the Midlands to the North West and then on to Scotland, spending next Saturday in Edinburgh before heading back to York, on to Sheffield and then to London.

On the way they will meet up with more than twenty Helen O'Grady Principals and, of course, hundreds of drama students, arriving back in Portsmouth to a special reception on Friday 25th June.

The Academy is proud to sponsor the drive, and we are certain there will be many more donations on the way. They have already raised in the region of £2500 before they even leave.

We will include pictures and information on here as the journey goes on. For more information and to make a dontaion visit the Village Africa website You can email Andrea on portsmouth@helenogrady.co.uk and Caroline on info@villageafrica.org.uk

We all at the Academy wish them safe journeys and all the luck in the world with this amazing trip.

HELEN O'GRADY WITH VILLAGE AFRICA FINDS AN AMBULANCE!

The founder of the charity, Village Africa, Caroline Johnston, is seen here with Jon McGuigan of the Southern Ambulance Preservation Society after taking delivery of the ambulance which has been kindly donated for the charity drive in conjunction with the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy. Caroline, and her sister Andrea (below) who is Principal of the Academy in Portsmouth, are delighted and more than a little relieved to have secured their transport and have thanked the organisation for their kindness and generosity.

The drive is to be launched at Queens Inclosure Primary School in Cowplain, Hampshire and will finish at Mill Rythe Junior School in Hayling Island. The Academy runs drama clubs at both these schools. If you wish to donate to the charity, click here.

VYAADAHIKANA - it is possible

Portsmouth Principal, Andrea Ward, is playing a big part in organising an ambulance drive around the UK to raise funds for The Village Africa Appeal. http://www.villageafrica.org.uk/ Andrea is seen above signing the Portsmouth Football Club bus! The Pompeys are supporting the appeal.

Village Africa is a small but very active, UK based registered charity set up by Andrea's sister, Caroline Johnston, four years ago in the remote area of Yamba in Tanzania. It's aim is to alleviate poverty through health, education and building projects.

The ambulance route, which starts and finishes in Portsmouth, will visit dozens of the UK's Drama Academies, covering over 1000 miles in total. The drive takes place between 11th and 27th June 2010.

RIGHT NOW THE CHARITY IS STILL LOOKING FOR AN AMBULANCE! Having contacted PCTs, St. Johns and the Red Cross, Andrea and Caroline are still looking for their ambulance! If any of our readers can help, please contact portsmouth@helenogrady.co.uk or info@villageafrica.org.uk

Check back here for pictures of the trip over the next couple of months and, if you would like to become involved, contact Andrea or Caroline on the emails addresses above.

AN ODE TO HELEN O'GRADY

Katie Spence, a student at Stratton Upper School and the Helen O'Grady Youth Theatre class in Cambourne was moved to write this poem about her time with the Academy.

I started at Helen O'Grady
When I was a youthful Year 9,
Little did I know
That I'd have such an awesome time.

I remember the first time
We played 'Survival Word Tennis',
The fierce competition
Is something that I'll miss.

Many costumes have I worn
Throughout my months spent here,
From disastrously scary,
To some just downright queer.

The production in 2008
Was about film stars and scandals,
I worked with their excited fans,
And made banners with wobbly handles.

The summer production last July
Was the definition of a 'laugh',
A Greek tragedy by teenagers,
I was the stressed-out member of staff!

We've done many wacky warm-ups
At the start of our weekly dramas,
From chewing hums and chanting
To impersonating llamas.

When the outside world was crazy
And school was such a 'mare',
I'd know that on a Friday
My friends at drama would be there.

From Rachel's insane outfits
To Navina's rise to fame,
Life after Helen O'Grady
Will not be quite the same!

Well done Katie!

If any other students, past or present, would like to submit poems for publication, we will happily consider your offerings. Just email margaret@helenogrady.co.uk and you could be on the blog!

CELEBS COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF DRAMA ACADEMY!

Principals around the country have been contacting local peoplein their areas and have received nothing but support for their business. Here are a selection of messsages they have received.

"To all the pupils and staff at the Academy,

I have recently received a letter from Claire Hollis [South Manchester] who told me about the Academy.

It is always good to hear about clubs and groups and it never ceases to amaze me the enthusiasm and dedication everyone gives ............ most importantly giving their time.

Drama is a great way of expressing oneself and can have so many positive impacts on people's lives. May I take this opportunity of wishing everyone connected with the Academy the best of luck in the future and, on a personal note, thank you all for your support of our club."

Sir Alex Ferguson CBE

Manager

"The Princess Royal has asked me to thank you for your recent letter concerning the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in Cheltenham. Her Royal Highness was pleased to read of your work in developing children's self confidence and communication skills through drama, not least for those with special educational needs.

The Princess congratulates you on your work and sends you her best wishes for your continued success."

Nick Wright

Captain Nick Wright, LVO. Royal Navy,
Private Secretary to

HRH Princess Royal

"Miss Hurley would be delighted to lend support to development through drama and has asked me to forward the following quote:

'There is not a chance in the world that I would be where I am today had it not been for after school drama classes. They are brilliant for kids, regardless of whether they want to enter the acting profession.'

We hope your Drama Academy continues to thrive and help lots more children."

Claire Perry - Personal Assistant to Elizabeth Hurley

TRAINING SEMINAR

Over the weekend, Principals and teachers from around the UK and Europe met to workshop forthcoming productions. Approximately one hundred 'dramaqueens' attended the Seminar and joined in with great enthusiasm as members of the training team presented parts of the new productions being put on next term. Above, Angela Gallagher, Principal in North West Ireland, is behind the tiger mask, rehearsing 'How The Lion Got His Roar' which is a new play for the Lower Primary age group, telling an old African folk tale.

Below, Principals workshop the Upper Primary play, set on a spaceship, 'Maximum Speed 50 Croaders'.

No-one is quite sure where this 'bag of bones' came from but he was eager to take part in the Youth Theatre play 'The League Of Freaky Creatures'!

BAGS OF TALENT IN PORTSMOUTH!

The 'Academy Supremes' - teachers with the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in Portsmouth -played their part in a recent talent show. Over 30 acts took part in front of an audience of approximately 130 people, who were very supportive and provided an excellent atmosphere with all their clapping and cheering.

Andrea said: "It was wonderful to see the confidence of our students and the standard was incredibly high. Everyone received a certificate for taking part and the variety of acts was diverse, from Indian dance to stand up comedy and from Irish dancing to recorder playing. We were all very proud of the young performers!"

Like all other Helen O'Grady branches in the UK, the staff in Portsmouth are building up to their end of year productions with rehearsals starting after the Easter break. For more information on classes in the Portsmouth area, call 023 9226 8256.